It’s officially summer, and the heat is unmistakable across the region. But with the rising temperature comes a renewed focus on the spaces that cool, comfort, and connect us. <br><br>In this issue, we feature five projects and profiles that reframe the role of landscape in contemporary life. From a lakeside retreat in Jumeirah that merges daily living with elemental luxury, to the sculptural precision of a Muscat garden rooted in travertine and shadow, landscape emerges not as ornament, but as architecture in its own right. <br><br>Our cover story this month, Cooling the City, takes a deeper look at how urban heat is reshaping public space design, exploring how water features are becoming vital tools in combating the Urban Heat Island effect. This is a critical topic for cities facing rising temperatures, and one that landscape architects are addressing head-on. <br><br>We speak with Wijdan Almamari, a bold new voice in environmental justice, and with Alma Gardens founder Sara Aji, who shows how storage, sunlight, and smart layouts are transforming mid-market design in Dubai. Finally, we spotlight the next generation of designers through the 2025 Student Award, an initiative redefining the future of landscape in the Middle East and beyond. <br><br>Enjoy the issue